What We Need Today

The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, ‘Which,’ He said, ‘you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’

So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, ‘Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.’” Acts 1:1-8

Immediately before Jesus’ ascension, the disciples eagerly asked the resurrected Savior His intentions for Israel. “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Jesus never answered their query, informing them instead of the imminent, personal ministry of the Holy Spirit. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...” (Acts 1:8).

We all have piercing questions we would like answered. But we are not to be overly occupied with them. Our real need is for power to enjoy and experience the abundant Christian life. Our most pressing demand is the divine enabling to know and follow Jesus Christ. Jesus makes it clear. What the apostles needed and what we need today is the power of the Holy Spirit.

Are you experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit on a consistent basis? Are you aware of His equipping and enabling in matters that are too difficult for you? As God’s child you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He will release His power through you to meet every demand, every problem, every emergency, every circumstance. Just call on His name.

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18